INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – A proposal has been unveiled to rename part of I-69 in DeKalb County for Indiana State Police Master Trooper James Bailey.
He died on duty on March 3 when he was trying to deploy stop sticks and was hit by the suspect’s vehicle.
The proposal is from state Representative Ben Smaltz of Auburn. A state committee is looking at it now.
Indiana House Republicans released the following:
STATEHOUSE (Sept. 13, 2023) – State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) recently presented a proposal to rename a section of I-69 after fallen Indiana State Police Master Trooper James R. Bailey during the Interim Study Committee on Roads and Transportation meeting.
Smaltz said he would like to rename a stretch of I-69 between the County Road 11A Exit and State Road 8 near mile marker 326 in DeKalb County after Bailey, who was killed in the line of duty in March. The interim study committee is reviewing the proposal, which marks the first step in the road renaming process.
Indiana State Police Trooper Matthew Lazoff (left) and State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) (right) testify before the Interim Study Committee on Roads and Transportation Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, in the Senate Chamber at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Smaltz offered a proposal to rename a section of I-69 after fallen Master Trooper James R. Bailey, who was killed in the line of duty in March.
“Master Trooper Bailey was a career public servant who demonstrated unwavering commitment and dedication to his role,” Smaltz said. “Our community lost a member, his department lost a partner with courage and integrity, and his family lost a loving husband and father. Renaming a road in his honor will serve as a reminder of the incredible sacrifice he made to serve and protect.”
Bailey, a 15-year veteran of the Indiana State Police, was struck by a fleeing vehicle after deploying stop sticks to slow down the pursuit. Bailey was transported to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Indiana State Police Trooper Matthew Lazoff, a friend of Bailey and his family, also testified in support of the road renaming during the interim committee on Tuesday. Lazoff said while the trooper also had a long battle with cancer, Bailey didn’t let that stop him from enrolling in the Indiana State Police Academy and serving a long career.
After the proposal is approved by the interim committee, Smaltz will file a formal resolution for consideration and adoption by the House and Senate during the 2024 legislative session. If the resolution passes through the General Assembly, the Indiana Department of Transportation can move forward with the road renaming in DeKalb County.
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